Another coupler thread!

[jet noise]

Hey all,

I have an 85 Coleman Aspen pup that has been modded for trail use. Now that its tax return time, I'm going to finally get a new multi axis coupler installed on it. I've read about them binding up in reverse, particualrly the lock n roll. But, I've also heard that Lock n roll has addressed that issue. So, are the Max Coupler and Lock n Roll the same in terms of quality/capability? Basically, you guys get to decide which coupler I'll buy. And if any vendors sell either one, PM me with a quote to 62269! Thanks a bunch.

 

[Pikeman]

In my research I heard the same about the lock-N-Roll but nothing was mentioned on their website and no one has been able to show pictures of the new design. I ended up going with the Max Coupler and I am very pleased with the deisign, robust feeling of the coupler. I will most likely be testing function in the next couple of days when I pull it home from the shop. I think most vednors sell the Max Coupler for $225, the lock-N-Roll when I priced it a couple months ago was going to be another $20 so that also aided in my decision.

 

[cnynrat]

I'd recommend the Max Coupler. I experienced the binding in reverse problem with the original Lock-n-Roll design, so I'm not inclined to go back there. They claim to have fixed that problem with the new design, but time will tell ...

I know the Max-C does not have that issue, and the only possible concern about the Max-C is that it's slightly more fussy to align the two halves of the coupler when hooking up the trailer. Not really a big deal though.

 

[skersfan]

I supposedly have the new lock and roll. I have not had any problems with it. They changed the swivel to the vehicle side. But I have not really beat the trailer yet, taking it out this weekend and supposedly a lot of in and out chutes. Will have a better idea after this weekend if it holds up or causes problems or not.

 

[elmo_4_vt]

Skersfan... Can you post a couple of pictures of your setup? I'd like to see the scale of it, and if it's changed from the original design I have. Thanks...

Don

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[jet noise]

I think most vednors sell the Max Coupler for $225, the lock-N-Roll when I priced it a couple months ago was going to be another $20 so that also aided in my decision.

Alright is seems the biggest response is for the MAX. Now, where are they offered for $225? The only sponsor I've found is Adventure Trailers and they have them for $250 on their website. $25 bucks would buy the beer for the install!

 

[Pikeman]

Alright is seems the biggest response is for the MAX. Now, where are they offered for $225? The only sponsor I've found is Adventure Trailers and they have them for $250 on their website. $25 bucks would buy the beer for the install!

http://socalteardrops.com/parts.php?cid=1&pid=46


I got mine there a couple weeks ago. Really good guys and have been helpfull when I call with noob questions as I go through my build.

 

[brentbba]

No experience with the Max Coupler, but I can tell you from not a whole lot of offroad with my Lock N Roll Coupler towing a M101 CDN that it's bent up pretty good on the trailer side of the coupler.

 

[cowboy4x4]

I have an LNR for 5 years and have never experienced the back up issues. Hitch gets used about once a month on trips x 5 yrs =60 use's and no problems. I believe it also has to do with how people drive and use their product. Both hitches have their pros and cons and both comparatively priced. I prefer the LNR myself.

 

[jet noise]

http://socalteardrops.com/parts.php?cid=1&pid=46


I got mine there a couple weeks ago. Really good guys and have been helpfull when I call with noob questions as I go through my build.

Alright, I contacted SoCal and they are out of stock on the MAX. Does anyone know where they might be in stock?

 

[cnynrat]

I have an LNR for 5 years and have never experienced the back up issues. Hitch gets used about once a month on trips x 5 yrs =60 use's and no problems. I believe it also has to do with how people drive and use their product. Both hitches have their pros and cons and both comparatively priced. I prefer the LNR myself.

The limitation of the LNR becomes apparent if you ever need to back up with the trailer at an acute angle to the tow vehicle, particularly if you need to put some "ooomph" in it because (for example) you are backing up a steep hill. It's possible you could go quite a while without encountering that situation.

We ran with our LNR for quite a while without issues, but then on a trip to the Maze we bent it up real good as Larry the Cable Guy would say. Not sure exactly where it happened, but probably in one of the turns like the one below where you have to do a multi-point turn, which means you are backing with the trailer at an acute angle. You can see I am about to run out of road here, and will need to back up against the trailer coming down that steep hill.

This was what the coupler looked like when we got home:



In fairness to LNR, it did make it back out to the pavement and then all the way back to SoCal from Utah, so it isn't always a catastrophic failure. I should also add that this picture shows it at its worst because it's after backing the trailer up our driveway, which is a 175' uphill drive with an S bend in it (a good place to learn how to back a trailer BTW).

 

[WeeJeep2]

I know the Max-C does not have that issue, and the only possible concern about the Max-C is that it's slightly more fussy to align the two halves of the coupler when hooking up the trailer.

If the hook up is "fussy" that will surely make the spousal unit that is in charge of directing and doing the hook up fussy too, and you don't want that at the start of the day.

I've had LNR for 5 years now with no problems. Just need to be careful backing into a full 90 degree jack knife. I've been holding off on a MC because of the percieved difficulty of hooking it up out in the field. We unhook and level the trailer with RTT just about every night on a trip. The LNR let's you get close, good visual on the line up, apply some slight pressure onto the vehicle side, push things around and it drops in the slot. Hard to picture dropping the coupling on the MC into the two verical plates and lining up the holes to push a pin through is user friendly when the trailer is blocked on a pile of rocks and you are backing up a sandy slope to get back to it.

Hope to check out a MC at Overland Expo this year and see how it works in person.

 

[cnynrat]

If the hook up is "fussy" that will surely make the spousal unit that is in charge of directing and doing the hook up fussy too, and you don't want that at the start of the day.

I've had LNR for 5 years now with no problems. Just need to be careful backing into a full 90 degree jack knife. I've been holding off on a MC because of the percieved difficulty of hooking it up out in the field. We unhook and level the trailer with RTT just about every night on a trip. The LNR let's you get close, good visual on the line up, apply some slight pressure onto the vehicle side, push things around and it drops in the slot. Hard to picture dropping the coupling on the MC into the two verical plates and lining up the holes to push a pin through is user friendly when the trailer is blocked on a pile of rocks and you are backing up a sandy slope to get back to it.

Hope to check out a MC at Overland Expo this year and see how it works in person.

I completely understand the concern. We have the same habit of disconnecting the trailer in order to level it if necessary. We also adjust airbag pressure to level side to side. We don't disconnect every night, but it's quite common. Having had both the LNR and the Max-C there is no doubt the LNR is easier as you describe. However, I would say the Max-C is not as difficult as it might appear. I find I can apply enough english on the trailer side to get the two halves of the coupler aligned well enough to mate.

It would be good to find someone that would let you play with it at OVX.

 

[jet noise]

If the hook up is "fussy" that will surely make the spousal unit that is in charge of directing and doing the hook up fussy too, and you don't want that at the start of the day.

I've had LNR for 5 years now with no problems. Just need to be careful backing into a full 90 degree jack knife. I've been holding off on a MC because of the percieved difficulty of hooking it up out in the field. We unhook and level the trailer with RTT just about every night on a trip. The LNR let's you get close, good visual on the line up, apply some slight pressure onto the vehicle side, push things around and it drops in the slot. Hard to picture dropping the coupling on the MC into the two verical plates and lining up the holes to push a pin through is user friendly when the trailer is blocked on a pile of rocks and you are backing up a sandy slope to get back to it.

Hope to check out a MC at Overland Expo this year and see how it works in person.

That's noteworthy. I'm a single dude so I have to back up in the blind, and move my trailer to the jeep. The trailer is light enough but not so light that I can spend a lot of time fiddling with alignment. I may give LNR some more thought. I would have already ordered my MC but none are in stock.

 

[loup407]

I pulled my Horizon most of last year with a LNR. We had zero problems with it, and it was easy to connect. As i bought it with my trailer, used, I replaced it with a MAX, in an proactive maintenance effort. At first it appeared connecting the two halves in the field would be a challenge, but so far, it hasn't. While in Death Valley, we once disconnected in a place where the FJ and the trailer were at very different angles and fretted all night about reconnecting. It took less than a minute. I like the simplicity of the MAX. If anyone wants to see how it works at the EXPO, we'll be there camping out of our Horizon.